choir
UK[ˈkwaɪə(r)]US[ˈkwaɪər]
n
An organized group of singers, especially one that takes part in church services or performs in public.
n
The part of a church where the choir sits during services.
Etymology
The word 'choir' entered English in the 14th century from the Old French 'cuer', which itself derived from the Latin 'chorus', meaning a band of dancers or singers. The Latin term was borrowed from the Greek 'khoros', which referred to a circular dance, a band of dancers and singers, or the place where they performed. This Greek origin connects to a deeper Proto-Indo-European root gher-, meaning "to grasp or enclose," conceptually linking to the idea of a circular dancing ground. Over time, the meaning narrowed from a general performing troupe to specifically denote a group of singers, particularly in a religious context, and also the architectural area in a church reserved for them.
Analysis
The word 'choir' is a simplex loanword from Old French. Its spelling and form are not productively divisible into smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern English.
Examples
She sings in the church choir every Sunday.
The choir performed a beautiful rendition of Handel's Messiah.
The procession moved from the nave into the choir.